read in 2021
74 books.
read
Olive Kitteridge (Olive Kitteridge, #1)
by: Elizabeth Strout
"Oof. This is so painful to read. It hit close to home on several really hard topics. The writing is incredible! But dang.
The hardest part is it's not the visceral, obvious moments of pain that it pokes at. It's the subtle, daily, underlying fears and disappointments that it highlights. The stuff that keeps me awake at night."
- katelynn
03/11/2021
The hardest part is it's not the visceral, obvious moments of pain that it pokes at. It's the subtle, daily, underlying fears and disappointments that it highlights. The stuff that keeps me awake at night."
- katelynn
03/11/2021
read
The Garden of Small Beginnings
by: Abbi Waxman
"I devoured this like a timely and delicious meal. This book goes into that rare category of books that are not just funny but make me actually laugh out loud. So much of the parenting stuff was just like, "YES! Exactly!!" She gets it."
- katelynn
10/17/2021
- katelynn
10/17/2021
read
Firekeeper's Daughter
by: Angeline Boulley
"I didn't totally connect with the protagonist, but I respected her and rooted for her from beginning to end. I loved the way the author immerses you in the native culture of Sault Sainte Marie - I learned so much. I feel like my perspective and understanding has grown. It's a beautifully crafted novel, which I would categorize in religious fiction, not fantasy. Although the elements of that are super minor. "
- katelynn
12/08/2021
- katelynn
12/08/2021
read
Get Your Life Back: Everyday Practices for a World Gone Mad
by: John Eldredge
"The premise sounds trite, but I promise you the content is not. This book is full of practical suggestions that will radically change your outlook on life.
I still think about this daily."
- katelynn
02/19/2021
I still think about this daily."
- katelynn
02/19/2021
read
The Crown and the Crucible (The Russians, #1)
by: Michael R. Phillips
read
Becoming Elisabeth Elliot
by: Ellen Vaughn
"3.5"
- katelynn
09/19/2021
- katelynn
09/19/2021
read
Castle in the Air (Howl's Moving Castle, #2)
by: Diana Wynne Jones
"Just wonderful. Funny and sweet and delightful."
- katelynn
02/07/2021
- katelynn
02/07/2021
read
The Gown
by: Jennifer Robson
"3.5
I enjoyed this read and was interested in learning about the topic. But overall it wasn’t anything particularly new or interesting. Kind of a classic dual plot line historical fiction novel.
I also felt like the violent scene was so out of place and graphic compared to the tone of the rest of the book. The detail completely took me out of the story. "
- katelynn
03/29/2021
I enjoyed this read and was interested in learning about the topic. But overall it wasn’t anything particularly new or interesting. Kind of a classic dual plot line historical fiction novel.
I also felt like the violent scene was so out of place and graphic compared to the tone of the rest of the book. The detail completely took me out of the story. "
- katelynn
03/29/2021
read
The Henna Artist (The Henna Artist, #1)
by: Alka Joshi
"3.5"
- katelynn
01/16/2021
- katelynn
01/16/2021
read
The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane
by: Kate DiCamillo
read
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (Harry Potter, #1)
by: J.K. Rowling
read
The Bombay Prince (Perveen Mistry #3)
by: Sujata Massey
"I think part of my issue with this book is user error - I didn't listen to the audio and I didn't take the time to get as immersed in the setting as I did with the last two. But also the writing felt stilted and awkward.
I don't think I'm giving up on Perveen yet, but we'll see."
- katelynn
07/09/2021
I don't think I'm giving up on Perveen yet, but we'll see."
- katelynn
07/09/2021
read
The Survivors
by: Jane Harper
"As usual, Harper delivers an atmospheric tale that had me gripped. She took me to another fascinating place with complex characters and a mystery that I had no clue about.
The ending wasn’t that satisfying- I thought the solution to the mystery a little disappointing. But overall it was still a fun ride!"
- katelynn
12/15/2021
The ending wasn’t that satisfying- I thought the solution to the mystery a little disappointing. But overall it was still a fun ride!"
- katelynn
12/15/2021
read
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (Harry Potter, #4)
by: J.K. Rowling
"The best of the series in my opinion."
- katelynn
04/30/2007
- katelynn
04/30/2007
read
The Beautiful Mystery (Chief Inspector Armand Gamache, #8)
by: Louise Penny
"4.5"
- katelynn
11/05/2021
- katelynn
11/05/2021
read
The Good Sister
by: Sally Hepworth
"ADORE! Sally Hepworth has done it again with a "thriller" that's actually so. much. more.
In this case it was the relationships between sisters and what it's like to live in the world as a high-functioning person with Asperger's (or something like it). I've read my fair share of the latter but this one was great. I rooted for her so hard! A sweet romance and a jaw-dropping twist make this an easy 5-star for me."
- katelynn
10/23/2021
In this case it was the relationships between sisters and what it's like to live in the world as a high-functioning person with Asperger's (or something like it). I've read my fair share of the latter but this one was great. I rooted for her so hard! A sweet romance and a jaw-dropping twist make this an easy 5-star for me."
- katelynn
10/23/2021
read
I'll Be Your Blue Sky (Love Walked In, #3)
by: Marisa de los Santos
"Although I didn't love this one as much as the last one, it was still great. Her writing is so RICH and romantic. It sweeps you along, puts you right into a setting with all of its feelings."
- katelynn
06/15/2021
- katelynn
06/15/2021
The Murmur of Bees
by: Sofía Segovia
read
The Lost Queen (The Lost Queen, #1)
by: Signe Pike
"4.5
Wonderful, immersive story. It reminded me a lot of The Bear & The Nightingale series, just in a completely different time/place with less fantasy. For people who like epic heroines, stories of love and sacrifice, religion and politics."
- katelynn
04/17/2021
Wonderful, immersive story. It reminded me a lot of The Bear & The Nightingale series, just in a completely different time/place with less fantasy. For people who like epic heroines, stories of love and sacrifice, religion and politics."
- katelynn
04/17/2021
read
Red: The Heroic Rescue (The Circle, #2)
by: Ted Dekker
"This affected me so so much, even in a reread. The Gospel is so beautiful!"
- katelynn
01/01/1970
- katelynn
01/01/1970
read
People We Meet On Vacation
by: Emily Henry
read
The Penderwicks: A Summer Tale of Four Sisters, Two Rabbits, and a Very Interesting Boy (The Penderwicks #1)
by: Jeanne Birdsall
"4.5
Practically perfect in every way."
- katelynn
06/11/2021
Practically perfect in every way."
- katelynn
06/11/2021
read
Excuse Me While I Ugly Cry
by: Joya Goffney
"Don’t judge this book by it’s cover! (Or its title)
This was wonderful, I devoured it. Although the premise seems similar to To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before, it goes a very different direction and has a lot of depth. I highlighted lots of great stuff."
- katelynn
07/11/2021
This was wonderful, I devoured it. Although the premise seems similar to To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before, it goes a very different direction and has a lot of depth. I highlighted lots of great stuff."
- katelynn
07/11/2021
no image available
read
The Mysterious Benedict Society (The Mysterious Benedict Society, #1)
by: Trenton Lee Stewart
read
Caliban’s War (The Expanse, #2)
by: James S.A. Corey
read
Anya's Ghost
by: Vera Brosgol
read
Nobody Will Tell You This But Me: A True (as Told to Me) Story
by: Bess Kalb
"3.5"
- katelynn
01/23/2021
- katelynn
01/23/2021
read
The Guest List
by: Lucy Foley
"Three stars for an entertaining read, but overall it let me down. Too much raciness and terrible people. Also it felt a little bit too perfectly wrapped up in the end - everything pinned on the victim. I see this a lot in thrillers. It lets the reader off the hook for feeling bad about the murder."
- katelynn
06/18/2021
- katelynn
06/18/2021
read
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (Harry Potter, #7)
by: J.K. Rowling
read
Caliban's War (The Expanse, #2)
by: James S.A. Corey
read
The Bombay Prince (Perveen Mistry, #3)
by: Sujata Massey
"I think part of my issue with this book is user error - I didn't listen to the audio and I didn't take the time to get as immersed in the setting as I did with the last two. But also the writing felt stilted and awkward.
I don't think I'm giving up on Perveen yet, but we'll see."
- katelynn
07/09/2021
I don't think I'm giving up on Perveen yet, but we'll see."
- katelynn
07/09/2021
read
Risen Motherhood: Gospel Hope for Everyday Moments
by: Emily A. Jensen
read
When These Mountains Burn
by: David Joy
"Just ok. There was some beautiful writing in there, but overall the story just had so little to bring any sense of redemption or satisfaction. I don't mind a sad ending, but this was a blah ending. It felt kind of pointless."
- katelynn
01/20/2021
- katelynn
01/20/2021
read
I Let You Go
by: Clare Mackintosh
"4.5
Hard to read at times, but man, so so good! I could’ve done with less violence and one of the twists at the end was just a little too much, otherwise it would’ve been 5 stars from me.
Oh, also, the second half involves first-person perspective from an abuser and it was disturbing. No thank you, did not like that. (But also, it was a great book, so I'm confused)"
- katelynn
07/15/2021
Hard to read at times, but man, so so good! I could’ve done with less violence and one of the twists at the end was just a little too much, otherwise it would’ve been 5 stars from me.
Oh, also, the second half involves first-person perspective from an abuser and it was disturbing. No thank you, did not like that. (But also, it was a great book, so I'm confused)"
- katelynn
07/15/2021
The Henna Artist (The Jaipur Trilogy, #1)
by: Alka Joshi
read
Writers & Lovers
by: Lily King
"I didn't want to like this book. On the surface, it seems annoying. A naval-gazing protagonist I can't relate to in a genre that tends to be a bummer.
From the beginning it gripped me. Even though I couldn't relate, I rooted for her. Even though it was hard and sad, it was also hopeful and joyous in the end. Looking forward to discussing this with book club!"
- katelynn
04/08/2021
From the beginning it gripped me. Even though I couldn't relate, I rooted for her. Even though it was hard and sad, it was also hopeful and joyous in the end. Looking forward to discussing this with book club!"
- katelynn
04/08/2021
read
The Broken Girls
by: Simone St. James
"4.5"
- katelynn
03/07/2021
- katelynn
03/07/2021
read
Beach Read
by: Emily Henry
"The chemistry! Oh man, this author deals with hard issues (pain and grief and betrayal) in a charming setting with one of the most engaging romances I've read in a while. Well done!"
- katelynn
05/18/2021
- katelynn
05/18/2021
read
A Trick of the Light (Chief Inspector Armand Gamache, #7)
by: Louise Penny
read
The Great Gatsby: A Graphic Novel Adaptation
by: K. Woodman-Maynard
"Gorgeous. Perfect."
- katelynn
07/15/2021
- katelynn
07/15/2021
read
Death on the Nile (Hercule Poirot, #18)
by: Agatha Christie
"What a fun ride! Great psychology in this one. And I did not expect the conclusion at all."
- katelynn
10/21/2021
- katelynn
10/21/2021
read
The Last Anniversary
by: Liane Moriarty
"4.5
I loved this so much - as I knew I would. Liane Moriarty has yet to disappoint. She just gets it! She understands parenting, she understands relationships.
This book had a broad cast of interesting, flawed, funny characters. She showed and gave grace for the different types of mothers in the world. And there was a truly shocking twist in the last second! So so fun."
- katelynn
11/29/2021
I loved this so much - as I knew I would. Liane Moriarty has yet to disappoint. She just gets it! She understands parenting, she understands relationships.
This book had a broad cast of interesting, flawed, funny characters. She showed and gave grace for the different types of mothers in the world. And there was a truly shocking twist in the last second! So so fun."
- katelynn
11/29/2021
read
Their Eyes Were Watching God
by: Zora Neale Hurston
read
Jane of Lantern Hill
by: L.M. Montgomery
read
The Bone Houses
by: Emily Lloyd-Jones
"I wasn't expecting to love this one as much as I did. The YA element was super subtle - it's barely YA. The setting!!!! Medieval Wales? Yes, please. Historical fiction fantasy at its best. I wouldn't say it's terribly gothic or horror - it was super tame. "
- katelynn
10/27/2021
- katelynn
10/27/2021
read
The Round House
by: Louise Erdrich
"3.5"
- katelynn
08/02/2021
- katelynn
08/02/2021
read
What Alice Forgot
by: Liane Moriarty
"Another perfect book from Liane Moriarty.
Motherhood, marriage, identity - she explores topics with such a delicate balance of depth and humor. I devour them."
- katelynn
02/18/2021
Motherhood, marriage, identity - she explores topics with such a delicate balance of depth and humor. I devour them."
- katelynn
02/18/2021
read
Hana Khan Carries On
by: Uzma Jalaluddin
"3.5
Once I realized this was You've Got Mail, I was in it 100%, come what may! And that resolve was tested by some truly cringy moments. It was predictable - these mystery pen-pal stories only have one ending. This is probably the 3rd or 4th I've read just like this.
However, Jalaluddin does what she did in Ayesha at Last: she crafts an enchanting community filled with interesting and flawed characters. She celebrates family and faith and romance. And she adds to important conversations about identity and the stories we choose to tell."
- katelynn
12/09/2021
Once I realized this was You've Got Mail, I was in it 100%, come what may! And that resolve was tested by some truly cringy moments. It was predictable - these mystery pen-pal stories only have one ending. This is probably the 3rd or 4th I've read just like this.
However, Jalaluddin does what she did in Ayesha at Last: she crafts an enchanting community filled with interesting and flawed characters. She celebrates family and faith and romance. And she adds to important conversations about identity and the stories we choose to tell."
- katelynn
12/09/2021
read
The Late Bloomers' Club
by: Louise Miller
"4.5 - Perfectly lovely. Everything about this synopsis screams Hallmark Movie! But what you get is actually well-written and anything but cliche. Every moment that could’ve been kitschy, the author managed to make sweet, genuine and insightful. I ate this one up!"
- katelynn
01/03/2021
- katelynn
01/03/2021
read
Snow & Rose
by: Emily Winfield Martin
"Enchanting and immersive. It’s a simple story, but not dumbed down. Great for all ages!"
- katelynn
01/04/2021
- katelynn
01/04/2021
read
One to Watch
by: Kate Stayman-London
"This was the perfect way to indulge my secret bachelorette craving without actually having to watch real-life horrible people act so dumb. For anyone who has ever enjoyed anything in that franchise, this is a must read! It was sweet and had a lot of real moments for a book I'd consider to be my "junk food" reading. "
- katelynn
04/29/2021
- katelynn
04/29/2021
read
The Downstairs Girl
by: Stacey Lee
read
The River
by: Peter Heller
"4.5
Beautiful writing, amazing setting, and page-turning plot. A literary thriller with an incredible premise. The ending was heart-breaking, but there's plenty of warning for it if you're looking.
I loved the way the sentence structure was sometimes long and lyrical but sometimes short and staccato - moving you at the pace of the story.
I will definitely read more by this author!"
- katelynn
05/26/2021
Beautiful writing, amazing setting, and page-turning plot. A literary thriller with an incredible premise. The ending was heart-breaking, but there's plenty of warning for it if you're looking.
I loved the way the sentence structure was sometimes long and lyrical but sometimes short and staccato - moving you at the pace of the story.
I will definitely read more by this author!"
- katelynn
05/26/2021
read
The Women in the Castle
by: Jessica Shattuck
"3.5"
- katelynn
01/01/2022
- katelynn
01/01/2022
read
Life of Pi
by: Yann Martel
"I was completely shocked by how much I LOVED this book. I've known about the basic plot since it came out and I've seen the movie, so I've had it in the category of books I "probably won't like." (Even though I did really enjoy the movie)
This is nothing like I expected. There's certainly philosophy, but it's not dry. There's essays on the author's opinions, but the plot never drags. And it's just so dang funny!
Read this so we can talk about it!"
- katelynn
04/26/2021
This is nothing like I expected. There's certainly philosophy, but it's not dry. There's essays on the author's opinions, but the plot never drags. And it's just so dang funny!
Read this so we can talk about it!"
- katelynn
04/26/2021
read
The Switch
by: Beth O'Leary
"4.5"
- katelynn
07/24/2021
- katelynn
07/24/2021
no image available
read
Hum If You Don't Know the Words
by: Bianca Marais
"3.5
I liked this okay. I learned a lot and the characters were easy to root for. Just didn't make a big impact."
- katelynn
12/02/2021
I liked this okay. I learned a lot and the characters were easy to root for. Just didn't make a big impact."
- katelynn
12/02/2021
read
Nothing to See Here
by: Kevin Wilson
"Oof, talk about a funny book that packs a punch. It treads the line between hilarious and heartbreaking really well and ends with such hope."
- katelynn
05/04/2021
- katelynn
05/04/2021
read
Midnight at the Blackbird Café
by: Heather Webber
read
The Lightning Thief (Percy Jackson and the Olympians, #1)
by: Rick Riordan
read
Sparks Like Stars
by: Nadia Hashimi
"3.5"
- katelynn
06/28/2021
- katelynn
06/28/2021
read
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (Harry Potter, #5)
by: J.K. Rowling
read
Set the Stars Alight
by: Amanda Dykes
"This story had everything I look for: historical fiction about a time period I don’t know much about, mystery, good twists, charming/immersive setting. It also had wisdom about faith delivered in a way that wasn’t overt or preachy. It was perfectly done! This is Christian fiction at its best."
- katelynn
12/18/2020
- katelynn
12/18/2020
read
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (Harry Potter, #2)
by: J.K. Rowling
read
Dear Edward
by: Ann Napolitano
"This book was cruising along at a 3 star for me (meaning I like it, but I don't really like it - 4 star - or love it - 5 star). I especially enjoyed the plot-line in the plane, going deep with the different characters. I was equally bored and intrigued. Classic literary fiction - not much happening.
But the ending brought it up to a 4 star for me. Edward's coming of age and healing are beautiful and inspiring. Although the ending of the plane plot was super hard to read... disturbing really. Will I ever fly again?"
- katelynn
12/15/2021
But the ending brought it up to a 4 star for me. Edward's coming of age and healing are beautiful and inspiring. Although the ending of the plane plot was super hard to read... disturbing really. Will I ever fly again?"
- katelynn
12/15/2021
read
The Prince and the Dressmaker
by: Jen Wang
"Sweet and simple. Read in a few hours. Lovely art. "
- katelynn
05/21/2021
- katelynn
05/21/2021
read
The Chosen (Reuven Malther #1)
by: Chaim Potok
"3.5"
- katelynn
06/19/2021
- katelynn
06/19/2021
read
News of the World
by: Paulette Jiles
"Lovely and gritty and poignant.
A bit slow, but worth the effort."
- katelynn
03/20/2021
A bit slow, but worth the effort."
- katelynn
03/20/2021
read
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (Harry Potter, #3)
by: J.K. Rowling
read
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (Harry Potter, #6)
by: J.K. Rowling
read